Infectious Diseases

Infectious Disease Specialists are like medical detectives. They examine difficult cases, looking for clues to identify the culprit and solve the problem.

An infectious disease specialist is a physician with advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses caused by microorganisms or germs.

When do I need an Infectious Disease Specialist?

Difficult Infections

Many common infections can be treated by your personal physician. Your doctor might refer you to an Infectious Disease specialist in cases where an infection is difficult to diagnose, is accompanied by a high fever, or does not respond to treatment.

High Infection - Risk Travel

Infectious Disease specialists also see healthy people who plan to travel to foreign countries or locations where infection risk is higher. In these cases, Infectious Disease Specialists can help determine whether special immunizations or other preventive measures are necessary to protect travelers from diseases.

How does my Infectious Disease Specialist work with other medical professionals?

The Infectious Disease Specialist works with your personal physician to determine which diagnostic tests are appropriate. If treatment is necessary, your doctor and the Infectious Disease Specialist will work together to develop a treatment plan best suited to your needs. Often you will be asked to return to the Infectious Disease Specialist for a follow-up visit. This allows the specialist to check on your progress, confirm that the infection is gone and help prevent it from coming back. If you acquire an infection while in the hospital, the Infectious Disease Specialist will work with other hospital physicians to help direct your care. The specialist also might provide follow-up care after you go home.

Typical procedures

Infectious Disease Specialists review your medical data, including X-rays and laboratory reports such as blood work and culture data. They also may perform a physical exam to help determine the cause of the problem.

Tests

Infectious Disease Specialists often order laboratory tests to examine samples of blood or other body fluids or cultures from wounds. A blood serum analysis can help the Infectious Disease Specialist detect antibodies that indicate what type of infection you have. These advanced tests can further explain the results of earlier tests, helping to pinpoint the problem.

Treatments

Treatments consist of medicines—usually antibiotics—to help battle the infection and prevent it from returning. These medicines may be given to you orally (in the form of pills or liquids) or administered directly into your veins, via an IV tube. Methodist Physicians Clinic maintains an infusion center for treatment requiring IV medications.

Learn more about the providers by clicking below, or watch a video and hear about the services.

Our services:

Consultations

HIV-AIDS

Dr. Kotula, Dr. Gholami and Dr. Jones have an interest in the care of HIV-infected patients. Methodist Physicians Clinic Infectious Disease Clinic is a Nebraska Ryan White Program provider and is certified to provide core medical services, and ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) pharmaceutical assistance for patients with HIV-AIDS. Visit Nebraska Ryan White Program to learn more and to download an application.

Epidemiology

Infusion services

IV antibiotic treatment provided on an outpatient basis at our offices at Regency.

Non-invasive wound care

Treatment of chronically-infected, non-healing wounds.

Travel medicine

Are you traveling Internationally? You may need specific vaccines required to enter certain countries. Find out what vaccines and other requirements are needed to travel abroad at the Methodist Travel Clinic.